Material formed part of estate of Helen Gibson and was acquired by the society.A4 folder containing documents pertaining to Helen Gibson. Contents: -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, handwritten, from William L. McSpeddon, Vicar, Drouin, Victoria, "To whom it may concern", dated 16th March 1944, A4 sheet folded in half -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, typed, from Ethel O. Matthews, ex-Sister-in-charge of [Infant Welfare] Centres in Dandenong Shire, "To whom it may concern", dated February 1952, 20.5 x 25.5 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, handwritten, from A. Corcoran (?) Cleveland, Sister-in-charge, Port Melbourne Baby Health Centre, "To whom it may concern", dated 16th Aug 1946,16.5 x 19.5 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, handwritten, from A. M. Adams, Sub-head, Correspondence School, Blackfriars, Sydney, dated 14th July 1931, 20 x 25 cms -Certificate of Competency as a Pre-School Play Leader, Department of Health, Victoria, No. 20, for Helen Alice Gibson, examiners Madeleine [illegible] & Gillian Henriques, signed N. Narbara Meredith & Helen W. Paul & [illegible], 27 x 21.5 cms -certificate, St John Ambulance Association, certifying that Helen Gibson has attended a course of instruction in home nursing. signed Arthur Sherwin, James Paterson, [illegible] Loomis, Enid Paterson, dated 25th Sep 1939, 23.5 x 17 cms -certificate, St John Ambulance Association, certifying that Helen Gibson has attended a course of instruction in rendering First Aid to the Injured, signed Rupert M. Downes, James Paterson, Henry Smith, Enid Paterson, dated 1st May 1939, 23.5 x 17 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, typed, from Nobel Park Pre School Play Group, signed F. A. McGregor & F. B. Jenkins, undated but post-December 1951, 26.5 x 20.5 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, typed, from Correspondence School, Blackfriars, Sydney, signed W. Finigan, dated 9th Feb 1032, 26.5 x 20.5 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson (labelled 'Copy" at head), typed, from Harry S. Needham, Archdeacon & Rector of Orange, NSW, dated 24th Feb 1932, 26.5 x 20.5 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, typed, from G.W.S. Anderson, District Censor, Victoria Lines Of Communication Area, Melbourne, dated 26th July 1945, 21 x 18 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, handwritten, from Enid Paterson, President, Garfield Country Women's Association, undated, 20.5 x 26.5 cms -letter of reference for Helen Gibson, typed, from W. Finigan, Headmaster, The Correspondence School, Blackfriars, Sydney, dated 16th Sep 1943, 20.5 x 26 cms (last three items held together with rusted pin) -also in back of folder is envelope containing the following items: -notebook, black, 16 x 10 cms, "Plots, Ideas, Bird Diary 1925" inside front cover, handwritten contents include story ideas and extracts copied from Joan Aiken's "The Way To Write For Children", extract from Wm. Temple's commentary on John's Gospel, a list of aboriginal names, and reminiscences by Miss Balmer -brown business-sized envelope with "References" written in pencil -brown A4 envelope with "Certificates P. L. St John Ambulance" written in ink and "Miss Helen A. Gibson" typed in blue ink, containing blue certificate stating that Helen Gibson has passed examinations and is entitled to receive the medallion, signed [illegible], General Secretary, dated 29th June 1942, 13 x 10 cms -cardboard certificate of baptism into the Church of God, for Ian Harold Gibson, born 13th May 1915, signed Edwin Dodd, St John, Nar-nar-goonhelen alice gibson, ian harold gibson, st john ambulance, pre-school centres, melbourne

In 2005 Michele Matthews interviewed current and former residents of Bendigo for her thesis on the 1930s Depression as part of her PhD Research, with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Arts, History Department. Michele interviewed fifteen members of prominent Bendigonian families. The thesis was titled: "How Depressing?: The impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925-1935". The Michele Matthews Collection contains fourteen audio cassette tape recordings and one written transcript. The tapes are each approximately one hour and 45 minutes duration. The questions presented to the interviewees explore everyday experiences they would have lived through at the time of the Depression. The questions covered sixteen relevant subjects: • Introduction and housing • Social activities, swimming, cinemas, school and games played with friends • Organizations such as the RSL, Relief Committees etc. and any effect they had on family life • The life of the single woman • Unemployment and Employment • Government Assistance • Charities Aid • Self-help • People Power, e.g. boycotts or protests • Politics • Trouble or crime • Family Health, Medical and Diet • Education • General memories of, and hardships encountered, during the DepressionAudio tape interview with Frank Crawford. Crawford's Shoe Shop business was on the corner of Bull and Hargreaves Streets, opposite the Bendigo Town Hall. Two audio tapes with length of one hour and 45 minutes, with eleven pages of handwritten notes of the interview. Frank was born in 1915, his parents were a bricklayer and a dressmaker. He attended St Liborius Catholic Primary School in Eaglehawk from 1920 to 1928. The tape has been converted to a sound file. The 90 minute interview can be listened to; and the notes viewed at the Bendigo Historical Society. By appointment only.history, bendigo, michele matthews collection, frank crawford bendigo, crawford's shoe shop bendigo, 1930s depression tapes

In 2005 Michele Matthews interviewed current and former residents of Bendigo for her thesis on the 1930s Depression as part of her PhD Research, with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Arts, History Department. Michele interviewed fifteen members of prominent Bendigonian families. The thesis was titled: "How Depressing?: The impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925-1935". The Michele Matthews Collection contains fourteen audio cassette tape recordings and one written transcript. The tapes are each approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes duration. The questions presented to the interviewees explore everyday experiences they would have lived through at the time of the Depression. The questions covered sixteen relevant subjects: • Introduction and housing • Social activities, swimming, cinemas, school and games played with friends • Organizations such as the RSL, Relief Committees etc. and any effect they had on family life • The life of the single woman • Unemployment and Employment • Government Assistance • Charities Aid • Self-help • People Power, e.g. boycotts or protests • Politics • Trouble or crime • Family Health, Medical and Diet • Education • General memories of, and hardships encountered, during the DepressionAudio tape interview with Nancy Betteridge (Nee Lenton). Nancy lived in fifteen different addresses in Bendigo throughout her lifetime. She married John Alexander Betteridge in 1951. Her father did odd jobs and sustenance work before getting a permanent job at the Bendigo Preserving Company. She went to St Joseph's Catholic School (1930-31) and St Kilian's (1931-38). The tape has been converted to a sound file. The 90 minute interview can be listened to, and the notes viewed, at the Bendigo Historical Society. By appointment only.history, bendigo, michele matthews collection, the 1930s depression tapes, nancy betteridge bendigo

Primitive Methodist Stawell Group 1899 Copy of a photograph from record 1001 This copy has names of the people typed onto it. Hard copy record contains photocopies from a newspaper article in THE SPECTATOR by Tilly Aston. Back Row: L-R J. Anyon W.A.Perry (vice-president) W. Hambly, G. Smith, Miss V. Willoughby Second Row: L-R Miss L. Crawford, (Secretary) Miss M Schnieder, Miss Matthews Miss M. Hambly, Miss B. Fletcher, Mis B. Yates, Miss E. Bunting Miss B. Dickie, Miss B. Hambly Miss W. Matthews, Mr Gillams. Third row: L-R Miss. L. Corrie, Mrs Corrie, Mrs Jenkinson, Mrs McDonald Mrs McRae, Rev. L.T. Copeland (President) Mrs Russelll, Miss L. Goldsworthy Miss L. Beard Miss Bell Sumner Miss S.GillamsBlack and white copy of photographstawell, religion